C20081021
October 21, 2008
The
Board of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:30 a.m. with all
members and the County Clerk present.
Madison
Traster made the motion to approve the minutes of the October 8, 2008 meeting
and the claims against the various funds of the county. Carl Higgs seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
Discussion
was held on Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director, providing a collection point for
food donations for Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. The commissioners left this
up to Ms. Deckert’s discretion. Ms. Deckert recommended using the Medicare rate
for ambulance charges when transporting inmates from the jail. She explained in
an email that Sheriff Babcock agreed to this. The commissioners left this decision
up to Ms. Deckert’s discretion also.
Jay
Tusten, Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital, requested the county consider allowing
hospital employees to participate in the county’s health insurance program. The
commissioners said they would investigate this matter.
Randy
McCauley, Road Department Administrator, presented road grader bids to be
opened. A 1999 John Deere 770CH grader will be traded in as part of the
purchase. G. W. Van Keppel Company bid $137,865 with a trade in amount of
$52,000.00. Their bid also included a five year buy back of $114,000. Murphy
Tractor & Equipment bid $159,012.00 with a trade in amount $54,000.00 and a
five-year buy back of $136,000. Foley Tractor bid $148,000 with a trade in
amount of $83,000.00 for a Caterpillar bid 140M. Their 5-year buy back
guarantee was $139,000. After reviewing the bids, Mr. McCauley recommended
taking the low bid. Carl Higgs made the motion to accept the low bid of
$137,865 from G.W. Van Keppel Company. Madison Traster seconded the motion and
it passed unanimously.
The
county clerk reported on the pay plan committee meeting regarding the part time
bookkeeper/secretary position. Based on the recommendation of the pay plan
committee, Carl Higgs made the motion to amend the pay plan to include the part
time bookkeeper/secretary by including it in the pay plan for hiring decisions.
The median rate for the position will be $11.00/per hour. Madison Traster
seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Any cost of living adjustment
will be applied to the median rate to keep it in balance with the median of
other positions.
J.D.
Neufeld, Civic Center Manager, met with the commissioners. Chairman Long
reported he had visited with Ashley Fiss, Architect, regarding the bathrooms at
the civic center. He hopes she will meet with the commissioner s on the second
meeting in November. On behalf of Great Plains Christian Radio, Mr. Neufeld
requested that security be waived at the civic center for a concert on November
14. Later in the day Sheriff Lance Babcock met with the commissioners to
discuss security issues at civic center events. J.D. Neufeld also attended this
portion of the meeting. It was decided Sheriff Babcock and Mr. Neufeld will
draft a policy regarding security needs for the commissioners’ consideration.
Due to past experience, security will not be required for the Christian radio concert.
In other business, the commissioners asked the sheriff to evaluate the pay
scale in his department to determine if adjustments need to be made.
Carl
Higgs made the motion to appoint Madison Traster as voting delegate to the
annual Kansas Association of Counties Meeting. Marty Long seconded the motion
and it passed unanimously. Carl Higgs was appointed as 1st alternate
voting delegate and Marty Long was appointed 2nd alternate voting
delegate.
Carl
Higgs made the motion to recess into executive session for 15 minutes to
discuss contractual matters. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously. After 15 minutes the meeting continued in open session.
·
The commissioners
recessed for lunch at Park View Assisted Living with the city of Ulysses. Those
attending from the city were: Daron Hall, City Manager; Mary Smith, City Clerk;
and Council Members, John Duran and Scott Malone. General discussion was held.
Doug
Yoder, Care Home Consultant, met with the board. Carl Higgs made the motion to
recess into executive session for 20 minutes to discuss contractual matters.
Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 20 minutes
the meeting continued in open session. Mr. Yoder said they are looking at a
December or January completion date.
The
commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on November 4, 2008.
__________________________ ________________________
Linda
McHenry, County Clerk Marty
Long, Chairman
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